Dam construction



NOV. 7, 1939. A Q NEUMAN 2.178.916

DAM CONSTRUCTION Filed May 2, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENToR.

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ATTORNEYS,

Nov. 1939. A. o. NEUMAN DAM CONSTRUCTION Filed may 2, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 7, v

l Arthur-.Qi Neuman, SanAntonio, Tex.

iii meermaals 24193184 Seriali 205,549

(olf-61430) Y z.c1aims. This invention ,'relatesfto concretehdam lcon-` structin, and more part' ularlyA toctheuconstruction of drain tiles-,used in theconstruction of dams...

An important object of the invention is to provide a concrete drain tileconstructed in such a way that when properly positioned during the construction of a dam, will convey all moisture and surplus water from the wet concrete mass of which the body of the dam is constructed, to

'facilitate rapid and exact curing of the concrete mass.

Another important object of the invention is to provide drain tiles forming apermanent part of the dam construction, and having such a degree of porosity that air may be forced through the drain tile to facilitate and promote the rapid 'and accurate curing of the mass concrete in which the tiles are embedded.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a drain tile of such strength and durability that it may become a permanent element in the dam construction to carry off moisture that otherwise is forced through the concrete under the intense hydraulic pressure, set up behind the dam when in use, and which eventually resultsin undermining the foundation of the dam.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

F'igure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a dam constructed in accordance with invention, and illustrating tiles, forming the subject matterof the invention, as positioned in the concrete mass or body portion of the dam.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through v connected tiles, and illustrating the variation in porosity ofthe ends of the tile and central portionsthereof. K ,K

, Figure 5 is an end elevationalview of one of the tiles.

Referring to the drawings in detail, tile sec- 5 tions constructed in accordance with the invention, are indicated generally by the reference character 5, and as shown, each tile section includes a central portion 6 of such porosity that water will pass therethrough at the rate of seven 10 gallons per minute, with a constant four inch depth of water in the slab at the bottom thereof. In constructing the central or body portion of each tile section, the proportions of materials used are approximately one part of cement to 15 five parts of pea gravel by weight, and a water" cement ratio of 0.33 by weight, or of a consistency s'o that the paste formed will not ll the voids in the aggregate, but will thoroughly coat and bind the aggregate particles. fully prepared, and only an aggregate is used which is of a size to pass avscreen having 3Ag-inoh square or equivalent round openings, and which will be retained in a screen having g-inch square or equivalent round openings.` The ends of each tile section, andvwhich provide' the joints betweenv adjacent sections,y embody a mixture of cement mortar mixed in the proportion of 1 part of Portland cement to 11/2 to 2 parts, by weight, of sand. After the materials 30 have been mixed in the proportions specified, the materials are placed in suitable molds and vibrated until sufficiently packed. After a predetermined time, the molds are removed and each finished tile is covered carefully with bur 35 lap and cured for fourteen days. Intermittently, water is applied to the burlap covered tiles, to facilitate proper curing of the concrete.

In the use of the tiles with a dam construction, the tiles are arranged one above the other 40 in the formation of vertical tiers, indicated by the reference character 9 in Figure 1 of theV drawings. In positioning the tiles, the reduced tapered end 1 is positioned within the recessed end 8 of the adjacent lowertile section. The lowermost tile section of each tier is positioned in the elbow lll of the pipe Il associated therewith, the pipe Il communicating with the usual drainage gallery I3 of a dam. construction where the moisture or water will be carriedy olf.

In the construction of the dam, the pipe sections are positioned, and the concrete mass is placedl around the tile sections, and as the concrete isl built up, additional tile sections are The aggregate is care- 20 added, until the concrete has reached the desired height of the dam.

When the last sections of the tiers have been positioned, caps I4 are positioned over the upper ends of the uppermost sections. Guy-wires I5 are connected to opposite sides of the caps I4, the opposite ends of the guy-wires I5 being anchored in the concrete mass forming the dam, as by means of the U-bolts I6. Thus it willbe seen that due to this construction, the tiers of pipe sections are rmly secured and held in upright positions at all times.

It might be further stated that the usual operating gallery I8 may also be drained through these tiles, which are in communication with the operating gallery, through the pipes I1. Due to the construction shown and described, it Willbe obvious that a dam supplied with drain tiles constructed in accordance withA the invention, will drain readily, insuring a rapid and exact curing of the concrete mass.

I claim: Y Y

1. A darn construction comprising a body portion formed of a mass of plastic material, a pluwalls thereof.

2. A dam construction comprising a body portion formed of a mass of plastic material, a plurality of tiers of Vertical drain tiles arranged in transverse spaced relation with respect to each other and embedded within the body portion,

each of said drain tiles embodying a porous central portion and non-porous ends, the lower end of one tile being tted in the upper end of the adjacent lower tile section, and horizontal pipes communicating with the vertical drain tiles rand embedded in the body portion near the base thereof, whereby moisture drains through the walls of thedrain tiles 4and passes downwardly into the horizontalA pipes.

' ARTHUR O. NEUMAN. 

